Folie - Final Presentation

The Bunker Folie design is a contemporary structure that remains in harmony with its surroundings. It evokes memories and creates a strong connection with the sites former history and use.

The solid concrete structure and form of the Folie reflects the existing World War II air-raid shelters, and raw industrial nature of the existing site and imposing rock cliff. This is also re-inforced by the use of rusted steel sheets. Views from within the structure have been carefully framed to offer the user a series of experiences, and to provoke inspiration and thought with reference to key historical and modern day aspects of the site context, and surrounding city.

A journey is created throughout the three levels, offering a range of spaces to sit, learn, and take refuge from the elements and ...busy city surroundings. 

Level one is aimed at experiencing the history of the Howard Smith Wharf’s, concentrating on the air-raid shelters, wharf sheds and the Storey Bridge. 

Chronologically following, level two brings attention to the growth of the city, focusing on new high rises, the Storey Bridge and waterfront apartments. 

The open roofed area allows the user to view the city of Brisbane as an entity. This evokes the users to make their own conclusions as to how far Brisbane has come and where it is going in the future.

The folies location on site responds to the geographical context, taking full advantage of sun access and views. The structure is raised to prevent future flooding, and provide users with easy access points from both the bottom of the site, and the top of the cliff.

 Folie Presentation

Concept - Initial Design

It is important when choosing the concept of the folie that it keeps in connection to the context and history of the site. After thinking about this, there were many different avenues that could be taken to design an appropriate folie. After debriefing on our different options, the main concept that we wanted to portray was the growth and journey of brisbane. 


The group decided that we would show the growth of brisbane by framing specific views that could be seen from the site(both historical and modern). The building was divided into 3 levels. The views framed on the first level represented Brisbane's past, the views on the second level represented brisbanes modern buildings and no views were framed on the roof top, which represented the ability for future growth. 

Views that are to be framed in folie

Each levels floor plate was designed to maximise the ability to frame the specific views. 

The folie has an industrial look to keep in connection with the context and history of the site. It blends into the cliff face and is and appears as if it could have been an old bunker. 

 Initial sketch/ Form of folie